ABSTRACT

The study was on the assessment of the influence of ICTs on agricultural extension activities of Abia State ADP. It specifically looked at the objectives thus to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the types of ICT infrastructure available in the state, identify the utilization of ICTs by extension agents, ascertain the influence of ICTs on the activities of the extension workers, ascertain the problems militating against the effective use of ICTs by the respondents and determine the selected effects of socio-economic characteristics of the respondents on their level of utilization of ICTs. Primary data were used in this study. Primary data were obtained from 120 respondents (60 from Aba, 60 Umuahia), who were randomly selected from Aba and Umuahia agricultural zones. A well structured questionnaire were used for data collection from the respondents. Data analysis was carried out with the use of simple descriptive statistics such as percentages, mean, frequency distribution. Findings showed that majority of the extension agents were less than 51 years and thus were in their productive years. Most of the respondents had HND/B.Sc Degree certificates and therefore were educated. Majority (51.7%) of all the respondents had large household size. Most respondents are experienced extension workers in their areas of specialization. Majority (5 5%) of the respondents from Abia State ADP are computer literate. Majority of the respondents noted that radio (91.7%), television (84.2%) and GSM 78.3% were available to them. Findings showed that greater number of the respondents in Abia State used GSM (100%), 50.8% of them operated computers, 99.2% of the extension agents listen to radio, while 16.7% of them watch video films. Only 19.2% and 16.7% of the respondents used video camera and power point/projector. Findings further revealed that majority of the respondents noted that ICTs enhance peer review of extension workers' performance, (75%) stronger research-extension linkages (8 1.7%), sharing of the result of scientific research (80%), role and positioning of extension workers (95%), as well as documentation of farmers indigenous knowledge (72.5%). The impact is that, if they are trained to use ICTs optimally, they will be able to access and send information very quickly and connect with knowledge resources far away at low cost. In general, the respondents in Abia State noted erratic and fluctuating power supply (77.5%), inaccessible ICTs infrastructure (71.7%), financial problem (57.5%), inability to operate ICTs (40%) and lack of interest (31.7%) as the constraints to the utilization of ICTs. Level of education and work experience showed significant effects at 1% and 10% respectively; and are positively related to the level of utilization of iCTs. Based on the findings of this study the following recommendations are made: Provision of electricity on a sustainable basis to all rural and urban communities, equipment of agricultural training institutions, research institutes and extension organization, with necessary ICT facilities, establishing websites, linking them up with other organizations for information sharing.